Ronald P. Staes, 76 of Moline, passed away Sunday, August 20th, 2023 at his home.

   A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am, Tuesday, August 29th, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church Moline. The visitation will be 4-6pm, Monday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 First Street A, Moline, with a Christian Wake Service at 3:30pm. Burial will be at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery with military honors by Vietnam Veterans of America. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

   Ronald was born on July 13, 1947, in Moline, the son of Frank and Myrtle Staes. He was a graduate of Moline High School and a 1974 graduate from St. Ambrose University.

   He served 4 years in the United States Air Force and was a Vietnam Veteran. While serving in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

   He served as Moline Police Department's first D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer) from 1991 to 2004.

In 1989, he was awarded the Police Department’s highest award for valor-the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in a burning home rescue. He saved the lives of two small children by carrying them out of an upstairs bedroom through the smoke and fire-engulfed house.

   Ronald received many other honors: Americanism Award, Law Officer of the Year for the State of Illinois 1993, Moline Police Department’s Police Officer of the Year 1992, Moline Jaycees Outstanding Police Officer of the Year, March 1992, The Department of Army Commander’s Award for Outstanding Public Service, November 1992, VFW State of Illinois Lifesaving Award, October 1990, Quad Cities Vietnam Veterans Chapter 299 Member of the Year 2008-2009, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2153, Meritorious Distinguished Service Award December 1990 and February 1994, The Deere Harvester/Moline Schools Special Recognition Award, January 1992, Fox 18 KLJB TV Officer of the Month, December 1992, The Community Caring Conference Crime Fighters Award for Outstanding Performance in Law Enforcement, October 1995

   He was a life member of: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77, Policemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois Unit No. 2, American Legion Post 246, VFW Moline Post 2153, Disabled Veterans of America, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 299, Served as president of the Filipino-American Association Iowa-Illinois Region, 1997-99, Past Board member of the Quad Cities Senior Olympics, Past Board member of Moline Commission on Youth, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 658, and Fourth-Degree Assembly 1922.

   Survivors include daughter, Amber Cunningham, son-in-law, Alex Cunningham, and grandchildren, Miles and Maya Cunningham all of Moline; sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Mike Petrik, Fairview, Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Father Bob Staes.

   He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and volunteering his time for many charities. He was an Extraordinary Minister for Holy Communion serving nursing homes in Moline and making home visits.

   He often stated that his Philosophy for life was “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others will define your legacy.”

Obituary information for Ronald P. Staes https://www.raffertyfunerals.com/obituaries/Ronald-P-Staes?obId=28760952#/obituaryInfo